In Chicago, city negotiators "tried and failed" yesterday to
resume stalled talks with the Bears. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley
defended his right to speak out on talks saying to remain silent
would open him to speculation he was "selling out" to the team
(CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/13). But Bears VP/Ops Ted Philips said
there will be no talks until the city increases its $156M Solider
Field renovation offer and Daley ends his public commentary.
Philips: "We have meetings with the city, the city meets with
the media" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/13)....Devil Rays officials left
a Seminole County, FL, Commission hearing yesterday no closer to
an answer on whether they will get funding help for a $20M spring
training complex in Altamonte Springs (TAMPA TRIBUNE,
12/13)....Mavericks Owner Donald Carter said he and Dallas
officials have set January 4 as a date "informally discuss" plans
for a new arena. "More serious discussions" are expected to be
scheduled at that date (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/13)....Attracting
an NHL team to Nashville would mean an additional $33M in
necessary improvements to the new Nashville Arena (Nashville
TENNESSEAN, 12/11).
